Congratulations to Abbie McCain who opened her account for the season with REMEMBER ROCKY enjoying his third Ayr success for Lucy Normile on Friday night. The partnership led inside the final furlong to win by a neck, denying Emma Sayer aboard JACKHAMMER.
Well done also to Rachel Taylor who survived a serious stumble a furlong from home (as shown above) but managed to regain momentum to storm home with Michael Dods’ FIRBY only beaten 3/4 of a length and was unlucky not to finish closer.
Congratulations to champion jockey Joanna Mason who enjoyed victory at Ripon on Thursday riding for Steve Gollings aboard NEVADA.
Tracking the leaders of the 9 runner field , Jo took up the lead a furlong from home to stay on well and win the Quilter Private Client Advisers Ladies’ Derby by 1 3/4 length. Well done all!
Good luck to Lady NH Champion Tabitha Worsley who has her first rides as a professional today at Uttoxeter, following in the footsteps of previous lady champion amateur jockeys Bridget Andrews (2014/15), Bryony Frost (2015/16) and Page Fuller (2016/17 and 2017/18).
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to announce the return of the popular Novice Flat Amateur Series this summer, now in its 7th year and sponsored for the first time by the AJA. The Series is open to amateur jockeys who are AJA members and have ridden no more than 3 winners under the Rules of Racing as of 1st April this year.
Races are scheduled as follows:
17th July Catterick Bridge
24th July Leicester
31st July Redcar
16th August Nottingham
21st August Carlisle
26th August Ripon
30th August Thirsk
7th October Royal Windsor
The Amateur Jockeys Association manages the series in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority. In addition a BHA Jockey Coach walks the course with all participating jockeys prior to each race and follows each race with a full de-brief.
This is a points series with 10 points awarded to each winner, 6 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd and 1 point for also-rans.
Sarah Oliver, CEO of the AJA, said “This training series is eagerly awaited year on year by our novice riders and we are delighted to take on this sponsorship ourselves after 6 years of Betfair’s support. Past amateurs who have ridden in this series include Hollie Doyle, Megan Nicholls, Poppy Bridgwater and Ellie MacKenzie as well as jumping’s Bryony Frost, Page Fuller, Charlie Todd and Connor Brace. A series which offers racing opportunities to relatively inexperienced jockeys under the watchful eye of a jockey coach is invaluable and we greatly appreciate the kind co-operation of all racecourses involved.”
Congratulations to triple champion lady jockey Carol Bartley on winning her second Queen Mother’s Cup yesterday at York, this time partnering progressive 3 year old filly ARCTIC FOX for Richard Fahey following her success here with the popular grey NANTON in 2013 for Jim Goldie.
The jockey’s experience really counted when her mount began to drift right on hitting the front, but Carol allowed her horse to find her own way and she kept on well with the running rail’s assistance.
Emily Bullock enjoyed a great run on Ruth Carr’s MUTAMADED to finish second with Serena Brotherton third on WHERE’S JEFF.
As is tradition, Carol received her own weight in champagne courtesy of Mumm and her only concern was that the car would make it the four hour drive home to Scotland with such a load on board!
Congratulations to Charles Clover on an unforgettable first ever victory at Newbury yesterday when storming home in the 6 runner field to win easily at 25/1 aboard DUTCH UNCLE for his brother trainer Tom in the Be Wiser Amateur Riders’ Handicap.
Congratulations to James Harding who flew up to Hamilton on Wednesday to partner Les Eyre’s QUEEN OF KALAHARI and enjoy a winning ride in a thrilling finish. The mare responded well to his strong urgings and won by a neck to deny Chloe Dods and VENTURA SECRET with Joanna Mason and SPACE WAR a neck in third and reigning lady champion Becky Smith and B FIFTY TWO a further neck in fourth.
Congratulations to reigning Lady Champion Amateur National Hunt Jockey Tabitha Worsley who has made a great start to the new jumps season with two wins already to her name, scoring for Nick Gifford at Fontwell on Wednesday with BLACK LIGHTNING and riding out her 7 lbs claim in the process.
Many thanks to Stratford Racecourse for their kind co-operation in allowing us once again to celebrate the end of the amateur NH season by crowning our champions with their respective presentations during the last day’s racing of the amateur season.
David Maxwell has enjoyed a spectacular 2018/19 with no less than 18 wins to his credit, and although currently sidelined with injuries sustained in a recent crunching fall in Auteuil he gamely travelled to Stratford to receive his trophy. He was joined by lady champion Tabitha Worsley whose season of 10 wins included not only her memorable Aintree Foxhunters success but also a recent double at Perth which secured the championship for her.
Not to be outshone by their champions, both runners up to the respective titles secured a winner apiece on the night to showcase their jockey skills. Becky Smith enjoyed a patient ride aboard MELDRUM LAD for Yorkshire’s Justin Landy to produce her horse with a perfectly timed run leading over the last to bring her total for the season to 8. Having led the tables for much of the season after securing the ladies Flat title last summer, this was a game effort and excruciatingly close for Becky and the unique Championship double eludes her for now.
Following the presentations, it was the turn of Sam Waley-Cohen to increase his tally of 10 wins to 11, holding up the Paul Nicholls trained WONDERFUL CHARM for much of the race and galvanising his quirky horse in the closing stages to snatch victory from Dale Peters and CARYTO DES BROSSES by a neck on the line.
Many congratulations must go not only to both of our champions and their respective runners up but also to all amateur jockeys who have enjoyed winners this season! Today it starts all over again.
